Synonyms of stir

stir 1 of 3

verb

ˈstər 

1

as in to swirl

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly

the recipe says to stir the mixture carefully until it's properly blended

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swirl
• wash
• whisk
• shake
• agitate
• whip
• churn
• whirl
• beat
• paddle
• reel
• wheel

2

as in to shift

to change one's position

the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shift
• move
• twitch
• squirm
• budge
• fidget
• wiggle
• toss
• locomote
• rouse
• jiggle
• writhe
• wriggle
• fiddle
• squiggle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freeze
• remain
• stay
• stabilize
• still
• hang around
• stick around
• tarry

3

as in to provoke

to rouse to strong feeling or action

news coverage of the fire stirred many to send donations to a fund for the families who had lost their homes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provoke
• encourage
• stimulate
• arouse
• inspire
• incite
• spark
• excite
• move
• instigate
• motivate
• induce
• rev (up)
• fire (up)
• pique
• drive
• motive
• trigger
• ignite
• impassion
• anger
• inflame
• build a fire under
• galvanize
• activate
• foment
• energize
• set off
• ferment
• animate
• bother
• fan
• quicken
• vitalize
• kindle
• enrage
• upset
• raise
• whip (up)
• pump up
• annoy
• tease
• key (up)
• aggravate
• get
• taunt
• abet
• irritate
• exasperate
• vex
• jeer
• gall
• madden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• subdue
• soothe
• appease
• placate
• pacify
• tranquilize
• mollify

stir

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity

the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commotion
• disturbance
• hurry
• fuss
• turmoil
• storm
• noise
• racket
• clatter
• fun
• ruckus
• to-do
• uproar
• furor
• hurricane
• row
• bother
• furore
• clutter
• tumult
• coil
• roar
• stew
• bustle
• kerfuffle
• hoopla
• pandemonium
• whirl
• hubbub
• rumpus
• hullabaloo
• flurry
• ado
• zoo
• blather
• ruction
• pother
• do
• splore
• squall
• bluster
• moil
• shindy
• upheaval
• ballyhoo
• hurry-scurry
• foofaraw
• hoo-ha
• welter
• bobbery
• outcry
• clamor
• alarums and excursions
• unrest
• helter-skelter
• hurly-burly
• howl
• hurly
• din
• hubble-bubble
• flutter
• cacophony
• disorder
• eruption
• williwaw
• hue and cry
• outburst
• brawl
• scuffle
• outbreak
• fray
• fracas
• tizzy
• fever
• lather
• melee
• fret
• flare-up
• dither
• hassle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• peace
• calm
• hush
• quiet
• stillness
• tranquility
• order
• quietude
• orderliness

2

as in shifting

the act or an instance of changing position

we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shifting
• stirring
• move
• shift
• movement
• motion
• relocation
• flapping
• twitching
• migration
• dislocation
• squirm
• mobility
• motility
• locomotion
• waving
• fiddling
• writhing
• squirming
• fidgeting
• wriggling
• motivity
• flailing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inertia
• pause
• immobility
• stop
• motionlessness
• halt
• finish
• stillness
• termination
• shutdown
• lapse
• expiration
• stoppage
• cessation
• discontinuance
• ending
• inertness
• shutoff
• surcease

stir

3 of 3

noun (2)

slang

as in jail

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jail
• prison
• penitentiary
• brig
• pen
• jug
• calaboose
• lockup
• cooler
• can
• hold
• big house
• hock
• slammer
• bastille
• clink
• coop
• hoosegow
• slam
• jailhouse
• stockade
• pokey
• bridewell
• cage
• guardroom
• tank
• nick
• quod
• joint
• tolbooth
• bull pen
• cell
• dungeon
• concentration camp
• keep
• ward
• hole
• labor camp
• work camp
• prison camp
• block
• guardhouse
• glasshouse
• stalag
• hulk(s)
• reform school
• gulag
• reformatory
• training school
• oubliette

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stir

Verb

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Despite its decades-long ubiquity in our lives and our iCals, the building has just as often stirred negative feelings. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026

Noun

In central London's Waterloo Place, a life-size statue that emerged overnight in late April has been creating a stir. — Vincent Ni, NPR, 1 July 2026

The woman responsible for birthing Cristiano Ronaldo caused quite the stir in Pompano Beach on Monday. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Phrases Containing stir

• stir (up)